In his State of the State address in Portland last week, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber listed a number of priorities for 2012.

We noticed one major omission: Helping find potential solutions for rural Oregon counties on the brink of bankruptcy.

Many residents and visitors to the Curry County coast are taking advantage of the unseasonably dry, sunny weather to visit the ever-changing beaches and enjoy the thrill of beachcombing and wave watching.

By all means, have a great time, but don’t turn your back on the sea. Too many people have done just that in years past, and often with fatal results.

If the first week of the new year finds you searching for personal resolutions, let us offer something a bit different: Make a commitment to help the community.

Doing so might also help with those personal goals. The experts tell us that the more social and involved you are, the healthier you’re likely to be.